Knight of the Tigress: Chapter 14

Tuesday at 3:10p.m. on August 20, 19851

Jamie tried to pull and wiggle her body from the arm that held her prisoner. The arm lifted her up as her feet left the floor. Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to break free.2

“Jamie, it’s me, Michael,” he whispered in her ear.3

He carried her further in the darkness as she struggled. Two men stood inches away from them. “Be quiet,” he whispered as his arm pinned her arms. His hand covered her mouth. Jamie put her hand on his leather jacket and realized it was Michael.4

“Didn’t Claw say that she would be drugged?” a man asked.5

“Yep, but she’s not. Let’s go check the next level,” another man said.6

Silence gripped the hallway. Michael released her arms by removing his arm. His hand still covered her mouth. He brought his com-link to his mouth.7

“KITT, are they gone?” Michael asked.8

“Yes.”9

Michael removed his hand from her mouth and took hold of her hand. They eased back into the light as Jamie still held her shoes in her hand. He looked down the hallway and there was no one. He turned to look at her. Jamie wrapped her arms around him and hugged him.10

“Sweetheart, are you all right?”11

“I don’t have enough juice to fight Claw,” she said.12

“I’ll get you out of here.”13

Boom, Michael pushed her back in the darkness. She leaned next to the wall and he was right in front of her.14

“KITT, what was that noise?” he asked.15

“A gust of wind, Michael.”16

Her hands were on his chest as he wrapped his arms around her waist. “You know, those high heel shoes hurt,” he said.17

“If the circumstances were different this might be an enjoyable moment.” She laid her head on his chest.18

He placed his chin on the top of her head. “What happened to ‘all you have to do is ask’?”19

“I see somebody was listening too.”20

He rubbed her back. “Guilty. Are you ready to leave?”21

“Yeah.”22

Michael took a step back and grabbed her hand as they walked to the outer hallway.23

“Why are your shoes off?”24

“I don’t run in high heels.”25

Michael looked down the hallway. “Good reason.”26

They made their way to the stairwell as they stood for a moment. Jamie waited for Michael to move. He went down the stairs. She followed and still holding his hand.27

Then he stopped. “KITT, where are they?”28

“Searching the building for you and Jamie, the building security guards think you are trying to abduct her,” KITT screamed through the com-link.29

“Contact Devon to bring in the police and we will try to leave through the main hall.”30

“I understand, Michael.”31

She looked at him. “What’s going on?”32

“We’ve another player on that list.”33

“Thomas,” she said.34

They raced down the stairs as the main hall door was in sight. People walked by the door as music entered the stairwell. Michael let go of her hand and walked over to the door. 35

“It’s locked.” He turned to Jamie.36

She sat on the step and put on her high heels shoes. Jamie walked over to him.37

“KITT, this door is locked.”38

“No problem and security guards are posted on all the exit doors.”39

Michael placed his com-link near the lock as the pop opened. He held Jamie’s hand again and they walked into the crowd.40

Four lines of booths were in the huge room and music played everywhere. People talked to each other as speakers played pitches for their products and tried to gather customers to their booths. Salesclerks shoved pamphlets into Jamie and Michael’s hands. 41

Jamie searched for security and Michael looked an at the exit door. An older sale woman stepped in front of them.42

“You are a lovely couple and I can see an engagement in your future,” the salesclerk said.43

Michael looked at her nametag and watched the exit door. “Well, Mary you’re a bright woman.”44

She pulled them to her booth. “These are samples, mind you.”45

They looked down in the case was full of rings as Michael pulled her closer to him. Jamie stared at the rings and giggled. 46

“Giggling with delight, are we? Love is for the young like you.”47

He looked at her and smiled. The clerk pulled out two rings that Jamie had her eyes on.48

“Now, these are not real but I’m sure this will give you ideas.”49

Jamie picked up the box to take a closer look.50

“How long have you two been dating?”51

“Six months,” Michael and Jamie said, as they looked at each other and smiled.52

“That’s nice, and are you living together? It’s what you young people do now.”53

Michael sighed as Jamie placed the box down. “That’s a very nice ring. I am an old fashion girl.”54

The clerk smiled. “Good to hear.” She pushed another ring to Jamie. “Keep him happy and he will be yours always.”55

“That’s what mamma said.” Jamie winked at her as Michael kissed her on her head.56

“The exit door is clear,” he whispered in her ear.57

She put down the box and grabbed another pamphlet. “We need to discuss this.”58

“I’ll be here all day,” the clerk said.59

Michael wrapped his arm around her neck as she held his hand. They walked to blend in with the crowd. Michael and Jamie walked through the door and went into the lobby. A guard jumped in front of them.60

“Hold it right there!” the guard yelled.61

“Are you nuts?” Jamie asked.62

“Ma’am, he’s trying to kidnap you!”63

“Are you insane? This is my boyfriend.”64

Michael tilted his head towards her. “I hope you know what you are doing?” he whispered.65

She looked at Michael. “I’m not a kid.” Jamie looked at the guard. “Does it look like he is forcing me?”66

The guard lowered his gun. “Well, no. You two look like you’re in love.”67

The elevator dinged beside them as Claw walked out. “Guard, save her! Ms. White has been drugged by him!” Claw ran to them.68

“Ma’am where’s your purse?” the guard asked.69

Michael’s thumb rubbed the side of her neck. “In his black T-top and there are robbers in there,” Jamie said.70

A crowd began to form around them. Claw joined them. 71

“This man burst in the conference room and held a gun to us. He took her and drugged her!” Claw glared at Jamie.72

Another security guard joined them. “Michael, how are you?” the man asked.73

Michael smiled. “Detective, nice to see you again. Well, I was having a nice day until this crazy woman claims that I’m kidnapping my girlfriend.”74

The detective looked at Claw. “Ma’am can I see your ID?”75

Claw pulled out a small can as Michael yanked Jamie to him. She covered her face in his jacket. Claw sprayed the air as people started coughing. She ran through the crowd to the exit doors.76

Another set of security guards chased after Claw as people screamed. A man ordered the crowd to leave the lobby and to go outside. Michael wrapped his arm around Jamie’s waist as they walked out of the lobby.77